Act 46 Modified Union District to be created By Polly Lynn Mikula KILLINGTON—Killington may be the first town in the state to rescind a local option tax. The 1 percent option taxes on sales as well as room, meals and alcohol were adopted in Killington in 2008. Rescinding the local option sales tax passed by…

RUTLAND—The Cobra Gymnastics team recently competed in the 2017 Hip Hop Classic at Woodman Athletics in Brattleboro, Vt. Teams traveled from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont to compete across eight sessions. This highly anticipated meet was fiercely competitive and full of energy, according to the Cobra coaches. With true dedication, the girls put their hard…

Poultney Area St. David’s Society held its 29th annual St. David’s Day dinner Feb. 26 in the Slate Valley in Granville, N.Y. It was an enjoyable, waited dinner and fellowship gathering which was followed by the society’s program, “Bring Something Welsh” show and tell. The show and tell began with presentations by members and guests after…

With an eye toward attracting visitors and celebrating the Rutland region’s history and the 30th anniversary of the Carving Studio & Sculpture Center (CSSC), a major new downtown Rutland sculpture has been commissioned. MKF Properties and Green Mountain Power commissioned the roughly 10-ton sculpture as a tribute to the thousands of quarry workers, stonecutters and…

City programs combat cabin fever Keep an eye on some of the interesting events at the Rutland Free Library. Wednesday, March 8, will present the Lego Building Challenge sponsored by the Rutland Boys & Girls Club. The library also offers opportunities to practice Japanese, German, and French; programs for babies and toddlers; conversations about land…

WEST HAVEN—Devil’s Bowl Speedway, located on Route 22A in West Haven, Vt., already has its first “win” in the 2017 stock car racing season. At a conference at the Plaza Hotel in Daytona Beach, Fla., Feb. 18, it was announced that NASCAR has awarded a $10,000 grant to the speedway for capital improvements and facility…

According to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Loyalty Day originally began as “Americanization Day” in 1921 as a counter to the Communist May 1 celebration of the Russian Revolution. On May 1, 1930, 10,000 VFW members staged a rally at New York’s Union Square to promote patriotism. Through a resolution adopted in 1949, May 1…

Safety concerns cancel ice fishing derby BENSON—Low water levels, rainy weather forecasts, and poor ice conditions led to Fair Haven Rotary Club’s cancelling its planned 45th annual Great Benson Ice Fishing Derby. This cancellation was only the second time the event has been cancelled. Organizers decided to continue with the cash raffle, though, with such…

RUTLAND—The Vermont Foodbank announced the promotion of Genna Williams to the position of branch manager for its Rutland distribution center. Williams spent the past year and a half as the Vermont Foodbank’s southern region gleaning coordinator, leading teams of volunteers to harvest fresh produce from area farms rescue thousands of pounds of fresh produce. A…

CASTLETON—Castleton University, in partnership with Vermont PBS, invites Vermont high school students to participate in the 22nd annual Castleton Videofest. High school students throughout Vermont and the surrounding area are encouraged to enter submissions in any of four categories: documentary, experimental/animation, narrative fiction, and public service announcements/advertisements. Scholarships of $1,000 will be awarded for first…

It is hard to imagine ourselves in a situation where we don’t have the ability to make sound decisions regarding our health care. Yet planning for a time when we might not be capable of making important medical decisions is crucial for each of us. It is something people of all ages should be thinking…

The staff of the Mountain Times had a busy and successful weekend at the New England Newspaper & Press Association’s annual convention in Boston, Feb. 24 -25. In awards for advertising, circulation and marketing, the Mountain Times took home first place in the categories of “Pure Advertising Niche Publcation” and first place for “Local Display…

WOODSTOCK—During the long winter months, it’s not uncommon for the mind to drift toward the warm beaches of a tropical destination. While most may be unable to escape the cold, it’s not stopping the senior residents of Woodstock Terrace Assisted Living, who are currently working hard to reach the sandy shores of Cabo San Lucas…

Killington—Monday, Feb. 27, marked a very special day for Paul Giblin at Killington Resort. A Killington enthusiast for over 30 years and second home owner who didn’t start skiing until age 40 at Gray Rocks Canadian Ski Resort,  Paul celebrated his 81st birthday skiing with his wife, Teresa, and friends on a sunny, bluebird day…

By Adam Federman, VTDigger A sense of fear and unease has taken hold on dairy farms in Vermont and across the Northeast in the wake of enforcement actions last week that led to the deportation of nearly 700 unauthorized immigrants nationwide. Though no farms in Vermont or nearby states were raided, those who work in…